Aiming for transparent but faster military procurements, the Narendra Modi government is considering rolling out by January a new defence procurement policy that will have fresh norms for blacklisting firms and engagement of 'agents' besides attracting investments.

Several senior Congress leaders including A K Antony, P Chidambaram, Sushilkumar Shinde and Kamal Nath were conspicuous by their absence at the International Conference on Jawaharlal Nehru organised here on Monday.

Former Navy chief admiral DK Joshi, who resigned in the wake of a blast in a submarine last year, on Tuesday made a sharp criticism of the defence management in the previous government and alleged there was no accountability and authority.